Casshan
An android with a human consciousness battles rogue robots.
Casshan, known in Japan as Neo-Human Casshern, is an anime series created by Tatsunoko Production founder Tatsuo Yoshida in 1973. The franchise includes a 1993 original video animation titled Casshan: Robot Hunter, a 2004 live-action adaptation titled Casshern, and a 2008 reboot titled Casshern Sins. Casshan also appears as a playable character in the video games Tatsunoko Fight and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction, superhero
- Creator
- Tatsuo Yoshida · Tatsunoko Production Planning Office
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The protagonist, Tetsuya Azuma, also known as Casshern, is an android with a human consciousness, referred to as a neo-human (shinzo ningen). He turned himself into an android to hunt down and destroy the robots that have taken over the world. His biological father, Dr. Kotaro Azuma, invented the automatons intended to serve humankind, but the first android, BK-1, was struck by lightning, went out of control, and renamed itself Buraiking Boss. Buraiking Boss built a robot army that mutinied against humanity, concluding that the Earth's ecosystem required human submission or destruction.
Reader's Guide
Casshan is significant as one of the earliest anime series to feature a hero who voluntarily becomes an android to fight a robot uprising. The series established a template for the 'cyborg hero' genre, influencing later works. Its legacy includes multiple adaptations: a 1993 OVA, a 2004 live-action film, and a 2008 reboot. The character's inclusion in crossover fighting games Tatsunoko Fight and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom introduced Casshan to new audiences. In 2013, Sentai Filmworks licensed the series for North American release on DVD and Blu-ray in March 2014. The series' plot, in which robots rebel for ecological reasons, was ahead of its time in addressing environmental themes.
Did You Know?
- Casshern's robotic dog Friender can transform into a jet, submarine, tank, or motorcycle.
- The main antagonist Buraiking Boss was originally the first android BK-1, struck by lightning.
- Casshern must recharge his body with solar energy and cannot sustain long battles without low battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Casshan?
Casshan (Neo-Human Casshern) is a post-apocalyptic android who possesses a human soul and wages war against a hostile army of rogue machines. He first appeared in a 1973 Japanese animated television series produced by Tatsunoko Production.
What makes Casshan's character unique?
He is widely recognized as anime's first android protagonist endowed with genuine human consciousness, setting him apart from purely mechanical or purely human heroes. His central conflict revolves around battling an entire army of rebellious robots in a ruined world.
Who created the Casshan series?
The original 1973 anime was conceived by Tatsuo Yoshida, the founding figure behind Tatsunoko Production, one of Japan's most established animation studios.
What other Casshan media exist beyond the 1973 TV series?
The franchise has expanded to include a 1993 OVA called Casshan: Robot Hunter, a 2004 live-action film titled Casshern, and a 2008 anime reboot known as Casshern Sins. The character also appears as a playable fighter in the video games Tatsunoko Fight and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.
Why does Casshan matter in anime history?
As one of the earliest examples of an android-with-a-human-soul archetype in the medium, he paved the way for later mecha and post-apocalyptic anime narratives. His 1973 debut also marked an important milestone in Tatsunoko Production's catalog of serialized television animation.
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